Stories clash in Lewis' arrest

Both sides say video will back their version of football pro's hotel arrest

Published 9:14 pm, Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Photo: Skip Dickstein

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Former Albany Academy and University of Pittsburgh football standout Dion Lewis speaks to the Times Union at his home in Albany, N. Y. April 19, 2011, just a few days before the NFL draft. (Skip Dickstein/ Times Union) less

Former Albany Academy and University of Pittsburgh football standout Dion Lewis speaks to the Times Union at his home in Albany, N. Y. April 19, 2011, just a few days before the NFL draft. (Skip Dickstein/ ... more

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Stories clash in Lewis' arrest

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ALBANY — An attorney representing the older brother of Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis and the manager of the Hampton Inn on Chapel Street gave contrasting versions Wednesday of what they believe led to the Lewis brothers being booked on felony charges last weekend for allegedly pulling a fire alarm and nearly knocking down the hotel's lobby doors.

E. Stewart Jones, who is representing Lamar Lewis, said the incident was "overblown" and prompted only because his client and the second-year NFL player were ignored by a security guard who refused to let the pair in after they left the hotel around 4:30 a.m. Sunday without their room keys. Jones also said the fire alarm was triggered unintentionally.

The hotel's manager, Todd Reichelt, stood by his staff, saying that both brothers acted belligerently — "They did not come knocking saying 'Can you let us in?' " Reichelt said — and that Lamar Lewis was seen playing with a pocket knife in the hotel's lobby minutes before the incident outside the hotel. This caused the guard to believe the men may be a threat.

Both Jones and Reichelt claimed that surveillance footage of the incident would support their respective claims.

"Once the video comes out everything will come to light," Reichelt said.

Police are reviewing the tape but would not release a copy to the Times Union, saying that the investigation is ongoing.

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Dion Lewis, 21, and his brother were both charged with falsely reporting a fire, a felony, and misdemeanor reckless endangerment. An Albany native, Dion Lewis starred at Albany Academy before transferring to a private school in New Jersey after his junior season. Dion Lewis' attorney, Craig Christ, did not return calls seeking comment.

Jones said the charges against Dion and Lamar Lewis, 35, were "a gross overreaction" and "disproportionate to the offense." Jones said the events leading to the arrests unfolded as follows:

After planning go out drinking on Pearl Street Saturday night, Dion Lewis booked a hotel room at the nearby Hampton Inn so that both he and his brother would not have to worry about a ride home.

Around 4 a.m., Dion and Lamar Lewis came back to the hotel drunk, but left soon after for an unknown reason, forgetting their room keys.

The hotel's doors are locked after midnight. The brothers tried to get a security guard's attention, but were ignored. They then inadvertently set off the fire alarm, Jones said.

"They looked straight at the security officer," Jones said. "They had their wallets on them. They could have easily explained what happened, what they were doing there. This could have all been ended right there."

Jones said that Lamar Lewis carries a small pocket knife with him that attaches to his key chain. The defense attorney said Lamar Lewis "would dispute" the security guard's claim that he displayed the knife in the hotel lobby.

Albany police spokesman Officer Steve Smith said police were told Lewis displayed a knife in the hotel lobby, but after reviewing video footage and other evidence officers determined that Lamar Lewis did not use his knife in a criminal manner.

Jones said that alcohol played a factor in how the morning's events played out, describing the incident as "The equivalent to a college prank gone bad," Jones said.

Jones said police accusations that Dion and his client struck the hotel's doors so hard that they nearly became unhinged were "nonsense."

"I wouldn't say that's accurate," said Reichelt when asked about Jones' version of the events. Reichelt said the brothers were screaming loudly and banging excessively on the door after being locked out and that the alarm was pulled intentionally, disturbing the 237 guests inside. The fire department arrived five minutes after the alarm was set off and no one was forced to leave the hotel, Reichelt said.

Both preliminary hearings for Dion and Lamar Lewis were adjourned Wednesday and rescheduled for July 18. After being held in jail without bail because of two prior felony convictions, Lamar Lewis was released under probation supervision Wednesday morning. Dion Lewis was released Sunday morning after his arraignment.

The former Albany Academy phenom was scheduled to talk and sign autographs at the Troy Boys and Girls Club Tuesday afternoon, but the event was canceled.

After a record-setting two-year career the University of Pittsburgh, Dion Lewis was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He is slated to back up Pro-Bowler LeSean McCoy this upcoming season.